Berlin - The global military spending budget in 2017 is at its highest level since the Cold War. DW talked with Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher at Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
DW: In a report on the worldwide military budget in 2017, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has determined that there has been a slight increase in spending. The report says that, worldwide, $ 1.73 trillion is invested for military purposes. That's 1.1 percent higher than in 2016. Is this number a lot or a little bit?
Pieter Wezeman: If we take into account statistical inaccuracy and the fact that data is never really reliable, we can say this is a low increase. It is also clear that on a global scale, the military budget is always stable at a high level. At the regional level, we see a big difference.
Yes - but this is in line with the increase in spending over the last 20 years. Military spending there is in line with the increase in gross national product. So that's not a very dramatic development. However, China is the second highest investor in the world in military spending. This is far behind the biggest investor, the United States - but also far ahead of the next countries on the list.
What conclusions can we draw about the country's political ambitions?
China is a very big country with a very big economy. China does not want to be only a regional power; he wants to be a global power. China has big ambitions and it is reflected in its military budget.
You mention the United States has also increased its military spending. The country's investment in the military field is higher than the total spending of the next seven countries on the list. What does this mean?
US President Donald Trump has called for a bigger budget - though he faces many contradictions, as there are many influential voices in the US calling for a reduction in military spending. But for now, Trump has won. We will see higher spending in the coming years as well.
Military spending is also particularly high in the Middle East. Seven of the 10 countries whose military spending is highest in relation to gross national product are in the region. These include Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, as well as Jordan, Israel and Lebanon. What are your views on military development in the region?
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are ready to invest a high amount of gross national product in their military budget. Saudi Arabia, for example, invests more than 10 percent. This is a very clear sign of how these countries see their position in the region.
In the case of Saudi Arabia, that number also shows the extent to which the country sees its main rival, Iran. Wars in Syria and Yemen also show that these countries not only increase their spending, but they are also ready to use these weapons to achieve their goals.
Iran, on the other hand, invests a relatively small amount in its military spending. That might change. Iran certainly wants to increase its spending, but this is not possible because of its current bad economic situation.